Steps to take care of your nails and hands

When it comes to nails and the skin on your hands, there are many things you can do to keep them healthy. You do not have to live with dry, flaky skin or peeling, brittle nails. Proper nail and skin care go a long way in your self-image, and your skin and nails are also a sign of your overall health.

When your skin is dry and flaky, then it can be an indication of a lot of different health issues. Regardless, dry skin is most often caused by dehydration and lack of moisturizing. To have healthy skin, there is the good old 8×8 rule for water, which is that you should drink at least eight, 8-ounce glasses of water per day. Other findings say you should drink half an ounce to an ounce of water for every pound you weigh. Eating well and having a diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals that are good for the skin is also essential while moisturizing can help when the weather is dry.

When it comes to your nails, it can take a lot longer to restore damaged nails than skin. Skin heals quickly and is a living organ in your body. Nails are dead cells. When you are experiencing a bout of “bad” nails, whether they are peeling, bumpy, too brittle, or too hard, it is often a reflection of your health or damage done to the nail bed upwards of six months ago due to the speed at which nails grow. Nails grow at around 3 mm per month so to completely regrow an average length nail it will take around half a year for the nail to be replaced entirely. If you have been ill, or have not been eating right, or do something like close your hand on a car door, then it can take a long time for your nail to return to good health.

There are things for you to do in the meantime to improve your nail health. The first thing you can do is use nail oil, but not all nail oils are made the same. Jojoba oil with vitamin E added in is the best thing for your nails. It will help strengthen your nails while also making them flexible, as flexible nails are safer from breakage than merely “strong” nails, which tend to snap when put under pressure. Apply nail oil at least twice a day and always before you use acetone and after using acetone to remove nail polish.

To help your skin and nails out, you can also take vitamin supplements. Before you jump in though and take a new supplement, make sure you talk to your doctor.

Lastly, to protect your nails, you should always wear nail polish and don’t buff or clip your nails! Clipping your nails can fracture the nail and buffing strips the surface of the nail and can make it brittle. Putting on nail polish with a good base coat and a thick top coat helps protect your nail from breaking.

The team at Comfy Spa are happy to be your go-to nail salon to keep your nails healthy and looking great. Our massage spa in Vancouver also does other spa services including massage and waxing. Come in today!